Basking Ridge’s Mahala Improving

Seton Hall Prep senior starting right fielder Tommy Mahala of Bernards Township is still in Overlook Hospital in Summit, but feeling better. So is his best friend.
Senior second baseman/right-handed pitcher Chris Manfredonia, who lives about a mile away from Mahala in Bernards, said Mahala had another procedure Monday morning to correct an aneurysm.
“”It went well,” said Manfredonia, who said he’s known Mahala since the two were seventh graders at St. James School in Basking Ridge.
Mahala has been in the hospital since Thursday when it was discovered he was suffering from a congential condition often asymptomatic known as arteriovenous malformation. The condition led to increased pressure and a leak in the brain, which resulted in an aneurysm.
Manfredonia said that doctors have said Mahala was born with the condition.
“”The veins and arteries get tangled up,” said Manfredonia, who’ll attend Muhlenberg College next year where he’ll play baseball.
Since their names are next to each other alphabetically, the two were scheduled to walk together in Sunday’s graduation.
“”I was with him the day it happened and he was fine in the morning – we were working out and running, but in the afternoon he felt nauseous and he started to forget things and his parents rushed him to the hospital,” said Manfredonia, adding that he has spoken to Mahala twice.
The Pirates and Bergen Catholic had a moment of prayer before last Friday’s North Jersey, Non-Public A semifinal in West Orange. Seton Hall Prep then won the game 10-7 in the bottom of the seventh on a walk-off, three-run homer by senior Shane Nolan.
Seton Hall Prep will play Pope John XXIII for the sectional title Tuesday at Yogi Berra Stadium on the campus of Montclair State University. Game time is 4 p.m.
“We’re excited about the possibilities,” said Manfredonia.
And feeling much better since their teammate and friend is feeling better. Mahala has been planning on attending the U.S. Naval Academy.
“”We want to get him all healed up and we’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” said Manfredonia.Senior second baseman/right-handed pitcher Chris Manfredonia, who lives about a mile away from Mahala in Bernards, said Mahala had another procedure Monday morning to correct an aneurysm.
“”It went well,” said Manfredonia, who said he’s known Mahala since the two were seventh graders at St. James School in Basking Ridge.
Mahala has been in the hospital since Thursday when it was discovered he was suffering from a congential condition often asymptomatic known as arteriovenous malformation. The condition led to increased pressure and a leak in the brain, which resulted in an aneurysm.
Manfredonia said that doctors have said Mahala was born with the condition.
“”The veins and arteries get tangled up,” said Manfredonia, who’ll attend Muhlenberg College next year where he’ll play baseball.
Since their names are next to each other alphabetically, the two were scheduled to walk together in Sunday’s graduation.
“”I was with him the day it happened and he was fine in the morning – we were working out and running, but in the afternoon he felt nauseous and he started to forget things and his parents rushed him to the hospital,” said Manfredonia, adding that he has spoken to Mahala twice.
The Pirates and Bergen Catholic had a moment of prayer before last Friday’s North Jersey, Non-Public A semifinal in West Orange. Seton Hall Prep then won the game 10-7 in the bottom of the seventh on a walk-off, three-run homer by senior Shane Nolan.
Seton Hall Prep will play Pope John XXIII for the sectional title Tuesday at Yogi Berra Stadium on the campus of Montclair State University. Game time is 4 p.m.
“We’re excited about the possibilities,” said Manfredonia.
And feeling much better since their teammate and friend is feeling better. Mahala has been planning on attending the U.S. Naval Academy.
“”We want to get him all healed up and we’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” said Manfredonia.

About Harry Frezza

Harry Frezza is a proud 1974 graduate of Bound Brook High School. He graduated from Rowan University. The Somerset County native is in his 35th year at the Courier News. He's the father of three children -- Thomas, 24, Nicole, 22 and Jamie Janeen 20. All are graduates of Nazareth Area High School (Pa.) home of the Blue Eagles.